Boys Soccer: Aggressive Warhawks take down East Lake

After going winless in four previous meetings against their district rival, Seminole boys soccer players got some well-timed payback during Tuesday night's Class 5A regional semifinals at East Lake.

The Warhawks (17-8-2) came out aggressive from the start, winning nearly every contested ball and scoring early and often en route to a 4-0 victory.

"That was one of our keys," Seminole coach Rick Masi said. "One of the things I harped on was to win that first ball, and if we don't, definitely win that second one."

Forward Charles Lynch acted as the catalyst for Seminole, scoring the game's first two goals and setting up the third.

"It was our job to go in there, work hard and pressure the defense so they couldn't play so easy in the back," he said of Seminole's game plan.

Lynch headed in a rebound in the seventh minute to open the scoring and showed of his speed about 10 minutes later for his second. The junior outran his defender with enough time to gather himself and beat East Lake goalkeeper Jason Richmond low.

Shellshocked, East Lake (18-2-2) watched Seminole go up 3-0 in the 28th minute when Lynch got loose on another breakaway. He would have completed the hat trick but an Eagles defender stuck his hand up to slap the ball over the net, drawing a red card and ejection.

Shane Wixted scored on the ensuing penalty kick and East Lake was forced to play a man down for the remaining 52-plus minutes.

"We had plenty of time in that game when that happened," Eagles coach Sergei Stopek said. "It just felt like we started coming unglued and there was no reason for it."

Sean Rafferty capped the game with another Seminole penalty kick goal in extra time of the second half.

"You have to give Seminole credit," Stopek said. "They played outstanding tonight."

"It's always going to be frustrating. This team has a lot of talent and my heart goes out to these kids. They are good soccer players and that shouldn't be forgotten."

The Warhawks now move on to play in the regional finals against Sickles High, who beat Gaither 1-0 after the scoreless game went to penalty kicks.

BOX SCORE:

Seminole- 3 - 1 --- 4
East Lake- 0 - 0 --- 0

SCORING:

Goals - Lynch (2), Wixted, Rafferty